Elected Officials Join AARP NY in Calling on State Regulators to Reject Con Ed’s $2 Billion Energy Rate Increase

EN ESPAÑOL | White Plains, N.Y. — AARP New York was joined today by state and local officials in Westchester County to fight Con Edison’s proposal to raise its electric and gas rates by more than $2 billion. The attendees said the rate increase proposal would impose additional financial strain on hundreds of thousands of households already burdened by rising utility costs.

The event was held on the steps of the Westchester County Center where the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) was holding two public hearings on the proposed increase in energy rates – the second time in three years. AARP represents nearly 400,000 Westchester County residents over the age of 50.

Con Edison is seeking to increase electric delivery rates by approximately $1.6 billion and natural gas delivery by about $440 million. This proposed rate increase would raise gas bills by about $46 a month and electrical bills by $27 a month. Con Ed’s rates are already among the highest in the country.

“There are millions of older New Yorkers living in Con Edison’s service area, including nearly 800,000 AARP New York members, and many of them are on moderate, low or fixed incomes,” AARP New York State Director Beth Finkel said. “AARP strongly believes the PSC should reject the Con Ed proposal and work with all the stakeholders to bring the rate increase down to a significantly more manageable level.”

According to the PSC’s latest figures on residential customers in arrears, 377,000 households in Con Edison’s service territory that includes New York City and Westchester County were 60 days or more behind on their monthly bills as of May, owing $845 million. Meanwhile, nearly 120,000 households owing more than $200 million received final termination of service notices in May.

Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins said: “Westchester has stood firm on our commitment to the residents and families of this county, reassuring them that we are doing everything we can to protect them from Con Edison’s unreasonable utility rate hikes. For the working class-families, the seniors living on fixed incomes, and everyone else who is already struggling to make ends meet — forcing people to choose between heating their homes and putting food on the table is just unacceptable. We are proud to join with our colleagues at AARP New York, as well as Senator Shelley Mayer and Assemblymember Chris Burdick, to demand the Public Service Commission reject these rate increases — hundreds of thousands of our residents are depending on it.”

State Senator Shelley B. Mayer said, “The Public Service Commission (PSC) has the opportunity to do the right thing for New York consumers and reject entirely Con Edison’s rate hike proposal, and I call on them to do so. Day after day, I hear from my constituents who are doing all they can to reduce their usage, yet their utility bills are increasing well beyond inflation, their incomes or Social Security. I have sponsored a number of pieces of legislation to prevent utility companies from recovering high corporate salaries from ratepayers and to rein in the profits utility companies earn at the expense of ratepayers. I’ll continue to press for legislative change to benefit rate payers, but right now, the PSC has the opportunity to prioritize ratepayers and entirely reject this rate increase. Thank you to AARP New York, County Executive Jenkins, the Westchester County Board and my legislative and municipal colleagues for being such strong partners in this fight. We intend to win.”

Assemblymember Chris Burdick said, “The enormity of Con Ed’s proposed rate increases is shocking and unconscionable. My constituents, especially seniors on fixed incomes, are reeling from the spike in their utility bills that often force them to make the unacceptable choice between paying their rent or paying their utilities. I have called upon the Public Service Commission to reject these increases and direct Con Ed to go back to the drawing board.”

Assemblymember Dana Levenberg said, "Utility bills are becoming a hardship for many households, particularly seniors on fixed incomes. I am constantly hearing from constituents who say their bills are already unaffordable; they simply cannot sustain an increase right now. Con Edison must heed the many, many voices telling them that households cannot afford the increase they are requesting."

Assemblymember MaryJane Shimsky said "Utility costs have become increasingly unaffordable, with over 400,000 Con Ed customers behind on their bills, and many more having to scrimp on other necessities to pay their bills. And yet lobbyists and lawyers — paid for by those suffering ratepayers — are being sent to Albany to secure double-digit rate hikes in 2026, while Con Ed netted almost $2 billion in 2024 and compensated its CEO by more than $16 million. I urge the New York Public Service Commission to honor their obligation to ensure 'access to safe, reliable utility service at just and reasonable rates,' and deny Con Ed's application."

Vedat Gashi, Chairman of the Westchester County Board of Legislators said “We are drawing a line in the sand against these excessive rate hikes that would devastate older Westchester residents struggling with rising costs. With thousands of older adults already months behind on their Con Ed bills and many facing termination notices, these proposed increases are appalling. No one should have to choose between heating their home and paying for medicine. We stand with AARP in recognizing that Con Ed's proposed increases are simply unacceptable.”

Mayor of White Plains Thomas Roach representing the Westchester Municipal Consortium said, “Con Edison’s electric and gas rates are already among the highest in New York State and the nation, and they continue to rise faster than inflation. By forming this consortium, 40 Westchester municipalities are unified in urging the Public Service Commission to take a hard look at the exorbitant rates proposed by Con Edison, and to also determine whether our residents are unfairly subsidizing the high costs of service in New York City.”

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About AARP
AARP is the nation's largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering Americans 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to the more than 100 million Americans 50-plus and their families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also works for individuals in the marketplace by sparking new solutions and allowing carefully chosen, high-quality products and services to carry the AARP name. As a trusted source for news and information, AARP produces the nation's largest circulation publications, AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org/about-aarp/, www.aarp.org/español or follow @AARP, @AARPenEspañol and @AARPadvocates on social media.
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